Woodcock hunting in Aspromonte

Woodcock hunting: During the migratory flows, the woodcock finds its ideal habitat in Aspromonte, in Calabria.

The environment and flora offer this bird all the comforts it needs: from the highest peaks of the mountains to sea level. From October to March hundreds of woodcocks, which populate the mountain ranges from north to south of Calabria.

The woodcock is a species of birds that methodically in spring and autumn carry out migratory flights in search of areas suitable for reproduction and wintering.

The woodcock generally migrates during the night hours, even if some studies have found that in certain particular weather conditions, such as storms or sudden frosts, these birds do not disdain the daytime flight.

The flocks during the migration are composed of 4-6 specimens, more numerous groups are rarely found.

The height, as well as the flight speed, change a lot in relation to the weather conditions. Normally the woodcocks are able to cover average distances per night, remaining in flight for about 6-8 hours and making a shift from the countries from which they come by following the north-east route in the south-west direction.

There are two migratory flows: woodcock coming from Scandinavian areas, especially Norwegian ones, usually move west towards the British Isles and the North of France; the woodcocks of western and eastern Europe follow migratory directions with a south-south-west direction, a route that leads them to Italy.

The temperature has a particular effect on the movements, in fact, in recent years, the global rise in the climate means that many remain at home, to the detriment of arrivals in the wintering countries.

The wintering of the woodcock, bearing in mind the very present sedentary aspect of the species and the rather mild winters, includes a very large area. In Italy, especially in the central-southern regions, every year hundreds of woodcocks.

The Calabria region is at the center of the greatest migratory flows not only of woodcocks, as it offers with its mountain ranges from north to south, respectively Sila, Serre and Aspromonte, areas that never have too cold temperatures, a pleasant and welcoming stop from from October to March, both to woodcocks that stop for the whole period, and to those who continue their outward journey, to Sicily and Africa, or return, to the Balkans.

Woodcock hunting in Calabria is mainly carried out in the Province of Reggio Calabria, near the Aspromonte mountain range, which acts as a backbone for the whole province. The highest peak is Montalto, with its 1997mt. and the average height of the mountains that make up the chain is about 1000mt.

Aspromonte is not a very famous place for hunting, but in recent years those who have had the opportunity to visit these places have found an ideal environment for the beauty and integrity of the territory.

The area is mainly located within the national park that bears the name of the Aspromonte, and is composed in the high peaks of centuries-old beech and pine trees, with large and not dense undergrowth, the latter formed from ferns and brooms, a feature that allows you to observe wide-looking dogs even at long distances.

The undergrowth, as many know, is the ideal environment for stopping and wintering woodcocks, a sort of 5-star hotel. After the 20th of October, especially in the highest peaks, you can meet the first woodcocks, which come from two different arrival points: on days with wind from the north the Ionian areas are preferred, on days with the wind blowing. from the South, the Tyrrhenian belt.

As winter progresses, the woodcocks are preparing to descend in altitude, populating the large pine and fir forests, or in the chestnut or holm oak woods, a type of vegetation that covers the mountains at this altitude (about 800 meters). If the winter is mild enough and it does not snow, the woodcocks will remain in those places for most of the winter, making internal changes in altitude based on the temperature.

Every year the Aspromonte is literally invaded by these birds.

Walking through the woods you can get in touch with historical places such as the mausoleum of "Cippo Garibaldi", a place where "the Hero of the two worlds" Garibaldi, who arrived in Aspromonte and wounded his leg, sat down in the hollow of a tree to be treated before resuming his journey to Rome.

Calabria therefore offers hunters the opportunity to go in search of woodcock, during the migratory flows of the latter. There is no shortage of facilities and places of interest to spend a pleasant day.